Search Assistant for Digital Media Assets

ABSTRACT

Techniques and systems for facilitating searching of digital media assets are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user can be assisted in entering search strings for searching a media repository (e.g., online media store) having a plurality of digital media assets that are available, e.g., available for purchase. As media assets are purchased from the media repository, popularity indications for such digital media assets can be adjusted. When the user enters a search character, a list of possible complete search strings corresponding to digital media assets available in the media repository can be obtained over a network and presented to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic searching and, more particularly, to improved approaches to searching of digital media assets.

2. Description of the Related Art

Today, online media stores, such as iTunes™ Music Store, provided by Apple Inc. provides users with access to information pertaining to many digital media assets (i.e., media items such as songs, videos, etc.). This information is available to computing devices that have Internet access. The information allows users to search, browse, review and purchase digital media assets. In searching for digital media assets, a user can enter a search string, such as a name of an artist or title of a song or album, and the resulting matching digital media assets or a representation thereof can be presented to the user. However, it can be cumbersome for users to enter the correct string due to uncertainty of names, titles or spellings. Users may also only enter and search a part of the names/titles which can lead to search results that are often not sufficient to locate the digital media assets that are desired by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to techniques and systems for facilitating searching of digital media assets. In one embodiment, a user can be assisted in entering search strings for searching a media repository (e.g., online media store) having a plurality of digital media assets that are available, e.g., available for purchase. As media assets are purchased from the media repository, popularity indications for such digital media assets can be adjusted. When the user enters a search character, a list of possible complete search strings corresponding to digital media assets available in the media repository can be obtained over a network and presented to the user.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, or apparatus (including computer readable medium or graphical user interface). Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a method for processing a search string to be used in searching for digital media information, where the digital media information pertains to digital media assets, one embodiment of the invention can include at least the acts of: receiving, over a network, at least one search character entered at a client device; determining a set of words associated with the digital media assets that match the at least one search character; filtering the set of words to remove those that are unavailable to the client device; and ordering the filtered set of words to prioritize the words based on sales popularity data.

As a method for searching for digital media information available from an online media store, one embodiment of the invention can include at least the acts of: receiving a search hints request from a client application operating on a client device, the search hints request including at least a character string including at least one character; determining a set of search hints based on the character string; obtaining a media popularity indication for each of a plurality of the search hints in the set of search hints; and sending at least a portion of the search hints to the client application on the client device.

As a method for searching for digital media assets available from an online media store, one embodiment of the invention can include at least the acts of: receiving at least one search character entered at a client device; sending a search hints request including a search string to a server device, the search string including the at least one search character; receiving a response to the search hints request including an ordered set of available words associated with the digital media assets that match the search string, the ordered set of available words being ordered in accordance with sales popularity data from the online media store for the associated digital media assets; displaying the ordered set of available words at the client device; receiving a user selection of one of the available words in the ordered set of available words; sending a search request including the selected one of the available words; receiving a response to the search request; and displaying, at the client device, information on one or more digital media assets based on the search response.

As a computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code tangibly stored thereon for searching for digital media information available from an online media store, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for receiving a search hints request, the search hints request including at least a character string including at least one character; computer program code for determining a set of search hints based on the character string; computer program code for obtaining a media popularity indication for each of a plurality of the search hints in the set of search hints; computer program code for selecting a subset of the search hints having the highest media popularity indications; and computer program code for sending the subset of the search hints.

As a computer system, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a store server configured to host an online media store for a plurality of digital media assets. The store server can support online searching and purchasing of the digital media assets available from the online media store by one or more client devices over a network. The store server can also be configured to provide search hints to at least one of the client devices in response to entry of at least one character of a search string for a search request. The search hints being provided can be ordered in accordance with the frequency at which purchases of respective digital media assets occur.

As a computer system for supporting an online media store, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: a content database for storing digital data pertaining to a plurality of digital media assets; a finance database configured to store data concerning at least purchases of digital media assets via the online media store; a popularity module configured to access the finance database to acquire popularity data for the digital media assets based on purchases of the digital media assets; a search terms module configured to access the content database to acquire potential search terms for the digital media assets; a search hints data structure configured to store data based on the potential search terms and the popularity data, wherein the popularity data is correlated to the potential search terms; a search hints module configured to receive a search string including one or more characters, access the search hints data structure to identify a plurality of matching search hints based on the search string, ordering the matching search hints, and form a search hints list from a least a subset of the ordered matching search hints; and a search module configured to receive a search request having a completed search string and to provide a search response.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a search assistance process according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a media access system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a media search and purchase system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow diagrams of a search process according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a search process according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a search hints determination process according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A-7C are diagrams of an exemplary graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7D-7E are diagrams of an exemplary graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to techniques and systems for facilitating searching of digital media assets. In one embodiment, a user can be assisted in entering search strings for searching a media repository (e.g., online media store) having a plurality of digital media assets that are available, e.g., available for purchase. As media assets are purchased from the media repository, popularity indications for such digital media assets can be adjusted. When the user enters a search character, a list of possible complete search strings corresponding to digital media assets available in the media repository can be obtained over a network and presented to the user.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-7E. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a search assistance process 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The search assistance process 100 can be performed by a computing device, such as a server providing a search service to client devices via a network.

The search assistance process 100 can begin with a decision 102 that determines whether one or more search characters have been received. For example, a graphical user interface can be presented on a display associated with a client device, and the graphical user interface can include a text entry box in which the one or more search characters can be input by a user of the client device.

When the decision 102 determines that one or more search characters have been received, a set of words associated with digital media assets that match the one or more search characters can be determined 104. The search characters are, in one embodiment, utilized to search for information regarding digital media assets made available by an online media store. As one example, each of the digital media assets can be identified by a name/title composed of one or more words, and the prefixes of such words can be compared with the one or more search characters when determining whether there is a match. Hence, the determination 104 of the set of words can determine those of the names/titles of digital media assets available by the online media store that match the one or more search characters that have been received.

Next, some of the words in the set of words can be removed 106 because they pertain to digital media assets that are not accessible to the requesting client device. The removal 106 of some of the words in the set of words can be considered a filtering operation that renders the resulting set of words more relevant and useful to the requesting device (and its user). As one example, certain digital media assets can be available only in certain geographic areas. Hence, if the client device requesting the search assistance is resident in a geographic area for which a particular digital media asset is deemed not available, the one or more words in the set of words pertaining to the particular digital media asset can be removed 106. In a particular example, if the client device is located in Germany, then those of the digital media assets that are not available in Germany can be removed from the set of words. As another example, certain digital media assets can only be usable on certain types of client device. Thus, if a particular digital media asset has a media type that is not usable on the requesting client device (e.g., due to hardware, software or service reasons), the one or more words in the set of words pertaining to the particular digital media asset can be removed 106.

The set of words can also be ordered 108 based on sales popularity data to prioritize the words within the set of words. The sales popularity data provides an indication of the popularity for particular digital media assets based on the frequency at which such assets are sold (i.e., purchased). For example, in one embodiment, the online media store can monitor and track sales of the digital media assets it has available to provide sales popularity data.

After the set of words have been ordered 108, at least a portion of the words in the set of words can be caused 110 to be display. For example, at least a portion of the words in the set of words can be displayed on the display associated with the client device. As a particular example, a graphical user interface can display the portion of the words in the set of words as a list proximate to a text entry box in which the one or more search characters can be input by a user of the client device. Following the block 110, the search assistance process 100 can return to repeat the decision 102 and subsequent blocks so that other search characters that are received can be similarly processed.

On the other hand, when the decision 102 determines that one or more search characters have not been received, a decision 112 can determine whether the search assistance process 100 should end. When the decision 112 determines that the search assistance process 100 should not end, then the search assistance process 100 returns to repeat the decision 102 and subsequent blocks so that the processing of blocks 104-110 can be performed as each search character is received. Alternatively, when the decision 112 determines that the search assistance process 100 should end, the search assistance process 100 can end.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a media access system 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The media access system 200 includes a media repository system 202. The media repository system 202 stores and facilitates access to a plurality of digital media assets. In one implementation, the media repository system 202 provides an online media store that enables a plurality of users to search, browse, preview and purchase digital media assets. The media access system 200 also includes a network 204, such as a data network that can include one or more wired or wireless networks. As an example, the network 204 can be a global public network, such as the Internet. The media repository system 202 can couple to one or more client devices via the network 204. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the media access system 200 illustrates a first client device 206 and a second client device 208. Although the client devices 206 and 208 are illustrated in FIG. 2, it should be understood that the media access system 200 supports a large number of client devices located in geographically different areas. The different geographic areas can be city, county, statewide, national or international. The client device 206 can include a display 210 and a media access application (MMA) 212. Likewise, the client device 206 can include the display 210 and the MMA 212. The MMA 212 is one implementation of a client application that can operate on a client device to manage media thereon. One example of a media management application is iTunes® application program from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Another example of a media management application is a network browser application (e.g., Safari® browser application from Apple Inc.).

Through use of the MMA 212, a user of the client device 206 or the client device 208 can search the plurality of digital media assets available from the media repository system 202 by way of the network 204. Among other capabilities, the media repository system 202 can present information regarding one or more digital media assets in response to a search request by the MMA 212. Typically, the information being presented in response to the search request can be displayed on the display 210 of the client device 206 or the client device 208.

FIG. 3 is a media search and purchase system 300 according to one embodiment of the invention. The media search and purchase process 300 can represent one embodiment of the media repository system 202 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The media search and purchase system 300 includes an interface module 302 that coordinates usage of different operational modules. The interface module 302 can couple to a network 204 illustrated in FIG. 2. One operational module is a purchase module 304. The purchase module 304 can interact with data stored in a finance database 306. For example, when a digital media asset is purchased, the purchase module 304 can process the purchase and cause various information (e.g., transaction data) to be stored in the finance database 306. The information stored to the finance database 306 can, for example, at least indicate what digital media asset was purchased and for what price. A popularity module 308 can examine the transaction data stored in the finance database 306 to determine popularity data for the various digital media assets. Since the popularity data is determined based on purchase transaction data, the popularity data can be referred to as sales popularity data (or purchase popularity data). In one embodiment, the popularity module 308 can periodically (e.g., daily, hourly, etc.) operate to determine (e.g., update) the popularity data for the various digital media assets.

The media search and purchase system 300 also includes a search module 310. In the event that a search request is received at the interface module 302, the search request is provided to the search module 310 for processing. The search module 310 can interact with a content database 312 (or some other data structure derived therefrom) to identify one or more digital media assets available from the media search and purchase system 300 that match the search string. The content database 312 can store descriptive information (e.g., metadata) as well as media content for the digital media assets. The media content is, for example, provided as electronic files that can be played or otherwise used at client devices.

The interface module 302 can receive a request for search hints. Search hints are hints that facilitate a user in entering a search string. An entered search string can be utilized to search through a plurality of digital media assets to identify those that “match.” The interface module 302 can forward the request for search hints to a search hints module 314. The search hints module 314 can process the search hints request and return one or more search hints to the user by a way of the interface module 302. The search hints are used by the user to more easily produce a search string to be utilized in searching for digital media assets by way of the search module 310.

The search hints module 314 can utilize data from the finance database 306 and the content database 312 to provide meaningful hints to the user. In one embodiment, these search hints being provided to the user are ranked, ordered or presented based upon their popularity with respect to purchases of the corresponding digital media assets. More particularly, a search terms module 316 can extract relevant search terms from the content database 312 which stores the various digital media assets. Then, a hints formation module 318 can utilize popularity sales data provided by the popularity module 308 together with the search terms provided by the search terms module 316 to produce the search hints which are stored to a hints data structure 320 for easy access by the search hints module 314. In one embodiment, the search terms module 316 and/or the hints formation module 318 can operate periodically (e.g., daily, hourly, etc.) to produce the search hints that are stored to the hints data structure 320.

In one embodiment, the hints data structure 320 is modeled akin to a trie data structure. A trie data structure, also known as a prefix tree, is an ordered tree data structure in which descendants of any one node have a common prefix of the string associated with that node. The trie data structure 320 can efficiently store a large number of terms, wherein common prefixes can be shared. The trie data structure can allow rapid lookup of words. Still further, according to one embodiment, the trie data structure can be augmented to further store: (i) sales popularity data, (ii) availability of the corresponding digital media asset in particular geographic regions, (iii) and/or an indication of its associated media type. By storing such additional information, the search hints are able to be rapidly found, filtered and/or ordered.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow diagrams of a search process 400 according to one embodiment of the invention. The search process 400 is, for example, performed by a client device, such as the client device 206, 208 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The search process 400 begins with a decision 402 that determines whether a search character has been received. Here, a user of the client device can interact with the graphical user interface to enter one or more search characters. As a particular example, the graphical user interface can provide a text box in which the user can enter one or more characters to be used as a search string.

When the decision 402 determines that a search character has been received, a search hints request including the search string can be sent 404 to a remote server to obtain search hints. The remote server, for example, can pertain to the media repository system 202 illustrated in FIG. 2 or the search hints module 314 illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, when the decision 402 determines that a search character has not been received, the block 404 can be bypassed.

Following the block 404 or its being bypassed, a decision 406 determines whether search hints have been received. When the decision 406 determines that search hints have not been received, the search process 400 can proceed to a decision 412 discussed below.

On the other hand, when the decision 406 determines that search hints have been received, the search hints can be displayed 408. In one implementation, the search hints are displayed 408 as part of the graphical user interface on the client device. As a particular example, the graphical user interface can provide not only the text box in which the user can enter one or more characters to be used as a search string but also a list of the search hints. Typically, the list of search hints would be displayed proximate to the text box that receives the search string.

Next, a decision 410 determines whether a particular one of the search hints has been selected. When the decision 410 determines that a search hint has not been selected, a decision 412 determines whether a search is to be initiated. For example, a search can be initiated in response to a user interaction with the graphical user interface to request a search. For example, the user of the client device can select a virtual button (e.g., search button) to initiate a search. When the decision 412 determines that a search has not been initiated, a decision 414 can determine whether the search process should end. When the decision 414 determines that the search process should not end, then the search process 400 can return to repeat the decision 402. In one implementation, when the search process 400 returns to the decision 402, the decision 402 can determine whether an additional character has been added to the search string and, if so, a new search hints request can be sent 404 and the previous search hints request (which has not yet been fulfilled) can be canceled. Alternatively, when the decision 414 determines that the search process 400 should end, the search process 400 can end.

On the other hand, when the decision 410 determines that a search hint has been selected or when the decision 412 determines that a search is to be initiated, a search request can be sent to the remote server. The search string associated with the search request is either a selected one of the search hints or a search string entered by the user. Next, a decision 418 determines whether a search response has been received. Here, the search process 400 awaits the response from the remote server to the search request. When the decision 418 determines that a search response has not been received, the search process 400 can await such and response. Alternatively, once the decision 418 determines that a search response has been received, information on one or more media items of the search response can be displayed 420. Following the block 420, the search process 400 can end.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a search process 500 according to one embodiment of the invention. The search process 500 is, for example, performed by a server. As an example, the server can pertain to the media repository system 202 illustrated in FIG. 2 or in the search module 310 illustrated in FIG. 3.

The search process 500 can begin with a decision 502 that determines whether a search hints request has been received. When the decision 502 determines that a search hints request has been received, an ordered set of search hints can be determined 504. Here, as an example, the search hints module 314 can access the hints data structure 320 to acquire a set of search hints which if not ordered can thereafter be ordered. A search hints response including the search hints can then be sent 506. The search hints response can be sent to a requester that requests the search hints. The requester can refer to a client device, a user of the client device, or a client application. Following the block 506, the search process 500 can return to repeat the decision 502 so that additional requests can be processed.

When the decision 502 determines that a search hints request has not been received, a decision 508 can determine whether a search request has been received. When the decision 508 determines that a search request has not been received, then optionally other processing 510 can be performed. The other processing can be various other processing tasks associated with a server supporting a media repository system or, more particularly, an online media store. Alternatively, when the decision 508 determines that a search request has been received, a search response to the search request can be determined 512. Here, the search response operates, in one embodiment, to identify one or more digital media assets available from the media repository system that include, or are described by, the search string associated with the search request. The resulting search response can then be sent 514. The search response can be sent 514 to a requester that requests the search. The requester can refer to a client device, a user of the client device, or a client application. Following the blocks 510 and 514, the search process 500 can return to repeat the decision 502 so that additional requests can be processed.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a search hints determination process 600 according to one embodiment of the invention. The search hints determination process 600 is, for example, processing that can be performed by the block 504 of the search process 500 illustrated in FIG. 5.

The search hints determination process 600 determines 602 search hints that match the search character (or search string). The digital media items that are available can be described by descriptive information. The determination 602 can search the descriptive information to determine which of the digital media items match the search character (or search string). For rapid search processing, as an example, the determination 602 can be performed using the search hints module 314 that can access the hints data structure 320 to acquire a set of search hints based on the search character (or search string).

The search hints can then be further processed so that those that are eventually presented to requesters are more relevant. In particular, those search hints that are for other geographic areas can be eliminated 604 from the determined search hints. Also, those of the search hints that correspond to media items having a media type not supported by the client device can be eliminated 606. For example, different client devices that can utilize the media repository system can have different capabilities. For example, the different capabilities can be due to hardware, software and/or service differences. As a result, some media types may not be supported on a particular client device. Hence, those search hints that are associated with media items that have media types not supported by the particular requesting client device can be eliminated (i.e., removed, filtered-out, etc.) from the search hints. Still further, sales popularity data can be accessed to obtain a sales popularity indication for each of the remaining search hints. The remaining search hints can then be sorted 610 (more generally, ordered) based on the sales popularity indication assigned to the particular search hints. Still further, the number of search hints remaining can be limited 612. By limiting the number of search hints that are remaining, the search hints determination process 600 can ensure that the maximum number of search hints that are returned to requester does not exceed the particular limit. Given that the media repository system can store a large number of media items, the various search terms and search hints can also be numerous. Consequently, limiting the number of search hints being returned to the requester can serve to present to requester only the most relevant search hints in a manner that can be conveniently presented on the graphical user interface associated with the client device.

Search hints can be presented by a graphical user interface on a display device of a client device. FIGS. 7A-7C are diagrams of an exemplary graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7A is a diagram of a page 700 (e.g., XML or HTML page) presented by a client application (e.g., MMA or network browser) on a display. A body 702 of the page 700 can include various contents, controls or links (not shown) as desired. For example, the body 702 can presents information provided by an online media store. In addition, according to one embodiment, the page 700 can include a search box 704 and a search control 706. A user can enter one or more search characters into the search box 704. When the user desires to submit the search request (e.g., to a remote server) for processing and return of search results, the user can select the search control 706. As the user enters a search character into the search box 704, a search hints box 708 can be displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the user has entered the character “b” into the search box 704, the search hints box 708 can be automatically displayed and populated with a plurality of search hints. The particular search hints to be included in the search hints box 708 can be determined as discussed above. In this embodiment, the search hints listed in the search hints box 708 are names of artists or groups. However, as noted all the entries in the search hints box have a word that begins with the character “b”. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the user can then enter the character “r” into the search box 704. The search string is now “br”. Here, the search hints within the search hints box 708′ can be automatically updated to list those search hints that match the search string “br”. Now all the entries in the search hints box 708′ have a word that begins with the character “br”.

FIGS. 7D and 7E are diagrams of an exemplary graphical user interface according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7D is a diagram of a user interface screen 720 presented on a display. The user interface screen 720 includes a keyboard region 722 where a virtual keyboard can be displayed. The user interface screen 720 can also includes a search box 724. A user can enter one or more search characters into the search box 724. As the user enters a search character into the search box 724, a search hints area 726 can be displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 7D, when the user has entered the character “b” into the search box 724, the search hints area 726 can be automatically displayed and populated with a plurality of search hints. The particular search hints to be included in the search hints box 726 can be determined as discussed above. In this embodiment, the search hints listed in the search hints box 726 are names of artists or groups. However, as noted all the entries in the search hints box have a word that begins with the character “b”. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7D, the user can then enter the character “r” into the search box 724. The search string is now “bra”. Here, the search hints within the search hints box 726′ can be automatically updated to list those search hints that match the search string “bra”. Now all the entries in the search hints box 726′ have a word that begins with the character “bra”. When the user desires to submit the search request (e.g., to a remote server) for processing and return of search results, the user can select one of the search hints listed within the search hints box 726 or 726′. The user interface screen 720 can be touch sensitive so that the user can, in one embodiment, interact with the screen 720 to enter characters via the virtual keyboard or to select one of the listed search hints. Note also that the number of the search hints being displayed can be controlled and varied for different user interfaces or devices. In FIGS. 7D and 7E, up to four search hints can be displayed, whereas in FIGS. 7B and 7C up to ten search hints can be displayed.

The client device utilized herein can, for example, correspond to an electronic device, such as a computing device (e.g., desktop or portable personal computer), mobile phone (e.g., cellular phone), personal digital assistant (PDA), media player (e.g., music, videos, games, images), media storage device, camera, remote control, and/or the like. The electronic device can also be a multi-functional device that combine two or more of these device functionalities into a single device. The electronic device utilized herein can be a hand-held electronic device. The term hand-held generally means that the electronic device has a form factor that is small enough to be comfortably held in one hand. In some cases, the hand-held electronic device is sized for placement into a pocket of the user. By being pocket-sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device).

Although the above discussion can make use of sales popularity data, in other embodiments, media popularity data can, more generally, be used in place of sales popularity data. Media popularity data provides an indication of the popularity for particular digital media assets. The popularity can be based on sales, previews, downloads, ratings or rankings of media assets. For example, in one embodiment, an online media store can monitor and track the popularity of the digital media assets it has available to provide media popularity data. Additionally, it should be noted that media popularity data, as well as sales popularity data, can be limited to a particular time period (e.g., year(s), month(s), day(s)).

The digital media assets (e.g., digital media items) can pertain to video items (e.g., video files or movies), audio items (e.g., audio files or audio tracks, such as for songs (music), podcasts or audiobooks), or image items (e.g., photos).

The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of the invention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.

The invention is preferably implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generally include read-only memory and random-access memory. More specific examples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flash memory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetic tape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects, embodiments or implementations may, but need not, yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of the invention is that search hints can be provided to a client application from a remote server. The search hints can serve to assist a user of the client application with entering of a search string for a search operation with respect to a media repository, such as an online media store. Another advantage of the invention is that near real time responsiveness enables presentation of search hints at a client application soon after a character for the search string is entered. Still another advantage of the invention is that the search hints can be provided in an ordered fashion based on popularity of corresponding digital media assets with respect to sales from a media repository, such as an online media store.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A method for processing a search string to be used in searching for digital media information, the digital media information pertaining to digital media assets, said method comprising: receiving, over a network, at least one search character entered at a client device; determining a set of words associated with the digital media assets that match the at least one search character; filtering the set of words to remove those that are unavailable to the client device; and ordering the filtered set of words to prioritize the words based on sales popularity data.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said filtering removes words from the set of words that are unavailable to the client device due to the geographic location of the client device.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said filtering removes words from the set of words that are unavailable to the client device due to media types that are not supported by the client device.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the digital media information pertains to digital media assets available from an online media repository, and wherein the online media repository is an online media store.
 5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the sales popularity data pertains to popularity of the digital media assets corresponding to the filtered set of words as determined based on sales of the digital media assets at the online media store.
 6. A method for searching for digital media information available from an online media store, said method comprising: receiving a search hints request from a client application operating on a client device, the search hints request including at least a character string including at least one character; determining a set of search hints based on the character string; obtaining a media popularity indication for each of a plurality of the search hints in the set of search hints; and sending at least a portion of the search hints to the client application on the client device.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said sending of at least a portion of the search hints to the client application comprises: selecting a subset of the search hints having the highest media popularity indications; and sending the subset of the search hints to the client application on the client device.
 8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said determining of the set of search hints comprises: determining a set of search hints that match the character string; obtaining a location associated with the client device; and eliminating from the set of search hints those of the search hints in the set of search hints that are associated with a location other than the location associated with the client device.
 9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the location is a country.
 10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said method further comprises: limiting the number of search hints remaining in the set of search hints.
 11. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said determining of the set of search hints obtains the matching search hints from a hints data structure containing at least words corresponding to digital media assets available in a online media repository.
 12. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the client device supports one or more media types, and wherein said determining of the set of search hints comprises: determining a set of search hints that match the character string; eliminating from the set of search hints those of the search hints in the set of search hints that are associated with media types that are not supported by the client device.
 13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said determining of the set of search hints comprises: obtaining a location associated with the client device; and eliminating from the set of search hints those of the search hints in the set of search hints that are associated with a location other than the location associated with the client device.
 14. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said method further comprises: prior to said sending, ordering the search hints in the set of search hints based on the media popularity indications.
 15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said ordering of the search hints in the set of search hints based on the media popularity indications comprises sorting the search hints in the set of search hints based on the respective media popularity indications.
 16. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the digital media information pertains to digital media assets available in an online media store, and wherein the media popularity indication for a particular one of the search hints pertains to popularity of the corresponding digital media asset with respect to the online media store.
 17. A method for searching for digital media assets available from an online media store, said method comprising: receiving at least one search character entered at a client device; sending a search hints request including a search string to a server device, the search string including the at least one search character; receiving a response to the search hints request including an ordered set of available words associated with the digital media assets that match the search string, the ordered set of available words being ordered in accordance with sales popularity data from the online media store for the associated digital media assets; displaying the ordered set of available words at the client device; receiving a user selection of one of the available words in the ordered set of available words; sending a search request including the selected one of the available words; receiving a response to the search request; and displaying, at the client device, information on one or more digital media assets based on the search response.
 18. A computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code tangibly stored thereon for searching for digital media information available from an online media store, said computer readable medium comprising: computer program code for receiving a search hints request, the search hints request including at least a character string including at least one character; computer program code for determining a set of search hints based on the character string; computer program code for obtaining a media popularity indication for each of a plurality of the search hints in the set of search hints; computer program code for selecting a subset of the search hints having the highest media popularity indications; and computer program code for sending the subset of the search hints.
 19. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the digital media information pertains to digital media assets available in an online media store, and wherein the media popularity indication for a particular one of the search hints pertains to popularity of the corresponding digital media asset with respect to the online media store.
 20. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the search hints request is issued by a client device, wherein the client device supports one or more media types, and wherein said computer program code for determining of the set of search hints comprises: computer program code for determining a set of search hints that match the character string; and computer program code for eliminating from the set of search hints those of the search hints in the set of search hints that are associated with media types that are not supported by the client device.
 21. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the search hints request is issued by a client device, wherein the client device supports one or more media types, and wherein said computer program code for determining of the set of search hints comprises: computer program code for obtaining a country associated with the client device; and computer program code for eliminating from the set of search hints those of the search hints in the set of search hints that are associated with a country other than the country associated with the client device.
 22. A computer system, comprising: a store server configured to host an online media store for a plurality of digital media assets, said store server supporting online searching and purchasing of the digital media assets available from the online media store by one or more client devices over a network, said store server configured to provide search hints to at least one of the client devices in response to entry of at least one character of a search string for a search request, wherein the search hints are ordered in accordance with frequency at which purchases of respective digital media assets occur.
 23. A computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said store server comprises: means for receiving a search hints request including at least a character string including at least one character; means for determining a set of search hints based on the character string; means for selecting a portion of the set of search hints based on media popularity indications associated with the search hints; and means for sending the portion of the search hints.
 24. A computer system for supporting an online media store, comprising: a content database for storing digital data pertaining to a plurality of digital media assets; a finance database configured to store data concerning at least purchases of digital media assets via the online media store; a popularity module configured to access said finance database to acquire popularity data for the digital media assets based on purchases of the digital media assets; a search terms module configured to access said content database to acquire potential search terms for the digital media assets; a search hints data structure configured to store data based on the potential search terms and the popularity data, wherein the popularity data is correlated to the potential search terms; a search hints module configured to receive a search string including one or more characters, access the search hints data structure to identify a plurality of matching search hints based on the search string, ordering the matching search hints, and form a search hints list from a least a subset of the ordered matching search hints; and a search module configured to receive a search request having a completed search string and to provide a search response. 